Companies Receive Support from Telefónica’s New Program to Implement a Blockchain

The startups will be able to develop blockchain use cases during the next six months. A total of 15 companies are already part of the Blockchain Activation program.

Wayra, the accelerating network of the Spanish group Telefónica, is developing the Blockchain Activation program. Through this initiative it is proposed to help companies that wish to incorporate this technology into their businesses to optimize processes and applications.

In a statement published on October 4th in its corporate blog, the company indicates that emerging companies wishing to join the Blockchain Activation program can register for free and test, for about six months, the modules implemented in the Telefónica network. In this way, they gain access to services and tools that make it easier for them to integrate the properties of blockchain technologies into their projects.

In this regard, it is explained that the key component of the program is TrustOS, a middleware-layer solution. This software is located between an operating system and the applications that run on it to allow communication with other applications, programs or operating systems.

The use of this layer makes it possible to help those who do not have much experience in blockchain developments so that they can execute their projects. In this way, TrustOS becomes the operating system that enables participants to use the Telefónica blockchain through different modules.

The company also offers startups the possibility to join Telefónica’s innovation ecosystem, as well as to communicate with Wayra’s innovation hubs. These centers are located in Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, in Europe; and in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, in Latin America. Startups will also be provided free access to Amazon Web Services.

Different Blockchain Use Cases

It is also informed that fifteen startups, which are already part of Blockchain Activation, will be developing different blockchain use cases during the next few months.

These cases will include the certification of documents, transparent management of assets, registration of evidence found in production networks, and the appropriation of audiovisual content without a license or the approval of the owner.

There are also more unusual blockchain use cases, such as the application of technology for traceability of the parameters that influence the conservation of works of art. Projects related to the “advantages offered by tokenization within a gamification ecosystem to reward certain user behaviors or attitudes” are cited.

To participate in the program, companies must complete an online form in which they have to explain both their proposal and the way that they intend to incorporate blockchain technology. On the basis of these data, the most appropriate selection will be made, depending on what Telefónica considers to be most innovative and disruptive.

With this initiative, the Spanish company maintains its policy of support for the development of new technologies. Recently, the open innovation platform Telefónica Open Future announced that is seeking startups that want to promote projects based on blockchains, industry 4.0, artificial intelligence or videogames, for example. The selected ventures will be driven and supported with free advice.

By Willmen Blanco